Version 4.3 of Honkai: Star Rail, titled "The Lethe Below the Living," dropped on June 1, 2026, and it brings the long-awaited new form of Blade. Mortenax Blade is a 5-star Fire Nihility character who serves as both a powerful team-wide debuffer and a capable sub-DPS. His banner, "Now I Am Become Blade," runs in Phase 1 alongside the 4-star rate-ups for Sampo, Luka, and Tingyun. If you are deciding whether to pull, this guide breaks down his value across different account types, team options, and investment levels.

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Quick Kit Overview

Mortenax Blade revolves around a dual-form playstyle. Before his Ultimate, he functions primarily as a support who deploys a Bounded Field zone. This zone applies 30 percent enemy DEF reduction and 50 percent increased DMG taken (vulnerability) for allies, while also granting a flat 50 percent DMG boost to everyone inside it. Depending on the number of Nihility teammates, it can further boost Ultimate DMG or Follow-Up Attack DMG.

His attacks scale off Max HP, include Taunt effects, and feature a charge system: frequent ally attacks build stacks that trigger an automatic Skill (no SP cost) and extra Energy regen. Once he uses his Ultimate, he enters an enhanced "Infinite Fury" state with self CRIT buffs, AoE HP-scaling damage, and even stronger team support. The signature Light Cone "Reforged in Hellfire" adds more CRIT DMG taken debuffs and Energy regen, making it a strong vertical upgrade.

In short, he is a generalist amplifier who shines in debuff-heavy teams while contributing solid personal damage.

Strengths

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  • Universal team buffs: The DEF shred and vulnerability are rare and stackable with other supports, making him excellent for Acheron hypercarries or any team that benefits from raw DMG amps.
  • Strong sub-DPS output: HP scaling plus AoE in enhanced form lets him clear waves efficiently without stealing the spotlight from your main carry.
  • FUA and Nihility synergy: Extra Ult or FUA boosts reward common team archetypes (Ashveil, Aventurine, or double-Nihility setups).
  • Easy to build: He wants HP, CRIT stats, and SPD around 134. Many existing Fire or HP-focused relics work well.
  • Good for new and veteran players: E0 already delivers strong performance; he does not require heavy Eidolon investment to feel impactful.

Weaknesses

  • Zone duration management: The field has a countdown and can expire if not refreshed properly, requiring some planning in longer fights.
  • HP consumption risk: His kit involves self HP drain for damage boosts, so pairing him with a strong sustain (Hyacine, Luocha, or Aventurine) is recommended to avoid accidental deaths in high-difficulty content.
  • Competition: If your account already has multiple top-tier Nihility supports like Jiaoqiu or high-Eidolon Acheron teammates, the upgrade may feel smaller than for players with gaps in their roster.

Best Teams

Mortenax Blade fits flexibly into several meta comps:

  1. Acheron Hypercarry
    Mortenax Blade - Acheron - Sparkle - Sustain (Hyacine or Fu Xuan)
    He revives Acheron teams by providing the missing DEF shred and vulnerability that older supports lack.
  2. Follow-Up Attack / Ashveil Team
    Mortenax Blade - Ashveil - Tribbie - Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae (or another FUA unit)
    The FUA damage boost from his traces shines here.
  3. Generalist Sustain/Support Lineup
    Mortenax Blade - Sunday - Tribbie - Hyacine
    Pure team amp with strong healing to offset HP drain.

He works in most content including Memory of Chaos, Apocalyptic Shadow, and Pure Fiction thanks to the AoE focus in enhanced form.

Recommended Builds (Quick Reference)

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  • Signature Light Cone: Reforged in Hellfire (best in slot by a wide margin).
  • Alternatives: Lies Dance on the Breeze or Before the Tutorial Mission Starts.
  • Relics: 4-piece Divine-Querying Master Smith or Pioneer Diver of Dead Waters for debuff synergy; mix with Longevous Disciple for HP and CRIT.
  • Planar Ornaments: Bone Collection's Serene Demesne or Inert Salsotto.
  • Main Stats: HP body or CRIT DMG body (depending on cone), SPD boots, Fire DMG sphere, HP rope.
  • Sub-stats priority: HP percent > CRIT Rate (aim for 100 percent in combat) > CRIT DMG > SPD.

Pull Value Breakdown

  • F2P / Low Spenders: Pull only if your Nihility options feel weak or you specifically want to boost Acheron or Ashveil teams. Version 4.4 brings the Fate/stay night collab with strong new units, so saving is smart if you are not in immediate need. The banner gives decent 4-star value with Tingyun and Sampo, but it is not a "must-pull" patch.
  • Mid Spenders: E0 is already excellent value. He performs well at base and slots into many teams immediately.
  • Whales / High Investors: Prioritize E1 first (biggest jump in team-wide utility and RES PEN), then E2, then Signature Light Cone. Vertical investment pays off if you main him or run Acheron frequently.
  • Skip Reasons: Your support bench is already stacked (Acheron + Sunday + Sparkle + Robin), or you are saving every Jade for the upcoming collab in Phase 2 of 4.3 or 4.4.

Overall community consensus from early showcases calls him a strong generalist debuffer rather than a game-changing must-have. He is not mandatory, but he is one of the better "quality of life" pulls in recent patches for accounts that need more Nihility coverage.

Final Verdict

Mortenax Blade offers high pull value for players looking to strengthen their Acheron or Follow-Up Attack teams without needing heavy investment. His kit blends support and damage in a way that feels fresh for Blade fans while remaining accessible for everyone else. If your account can clear endgame comfortably already, you can safely skip and save for the Fate collab. Otherwise, pulling for E0 (and maybe his signature cone) is a solid choice that will serve you well across multiple patches.

The banner runs until June 24, 2026, so you have time to decide after trying him in the trial or watching more showcases. Good luck with your pulls, Trailblazer!